Newton man pleads not guilty in fatal Waltham shooting, held on $500K bail

Thursday

Apr 3, 2014 at 12:49 PMApr 3, 2014 at 5:49 PM

A Newton man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Waltham High School senior Tyler Zanco.

By Eli Shermanesherman@wickedlocal.com

WALTHAM - A Newton man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Waltham High School senior Tyler Zanco.

Taylor Poulin, 21, was ordered held on $500,000 bail in Waltham District Court.

Police allege Poulin was a part of a botched drug rip-off that resulted in the death of Zanco, 17, on March 20. Zanco and two friends planned to set up and rip off Poulin in retaliation for a prior incident when Poulin cheated Zanco’s cousin of two ounces of marijuana, according to a police affidavit.

Poulin was arrested on March 26 in Windham, Maine. He was arraigned in Portland District Court last Friday on a fugitive from justice charge. After waiving extradition, he was brought back to Massachusetts.

A handful of Zanco's relatives were at the Waltham courthouse for Poulin's quick arraignment. Poulin came into the courtroom handcuffed, looking unshaven and wearing a white long-sleeved shirt. He kept his eyes to the floor most of the time.

Assistant District Attorney David Solet asked Judge Stacey Forte to revoke Poulin's bail because he said Poulin ran away to Maine. Solet said Poulin has also been charged in Framingham, Brighton and Chelsea district courts. And on March 20, Poulin was planning to participate in a marijuana deal and brought a loaded handgun, which he used to strike Zanco in the head, Solet added.

“His history demonstrates he has repeatedly been arrested and released and arrested again," Solet said.

The fake drug deal allegedly happened in the parking lot of the Gardencrest Apartments on Middlesex Circle, where Zanco tazed Poulin in the head before the two started fighting on the ground, according to the affidavit. Poulin’s alleged accomplice Domingo Mendes, who is still at large, came over to the two fighting, took a black revolver out of Poulin’s waistband and shot, police said.

Zanco was later taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A medical examiner ruled the cause of death to be a “gunshot wound of the chest which entered through the back,” according to the police affidavit.

The Zanco family respects the judge's decision, spokesman Dan Cence said after the arraignment.

"We understand this is a long process, but we feel it's a step closer to justice for Tyler," Cence said.

After the hearing, Poulin's defense attorney Drew Segadelli said his client was victimized and he suffered wounds to his head and cheekbone.

Poulin is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlicensed possession of a firearm, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He pleaded not guilty to each charge and is next due in court May 7.

Warrants were issued for Poulin and Mendes’ arrests last week.

"[The family has] full faith and confidence in the Waltham Police Department, the State Police and the U.S. Marshals and all the resources out there that everybody will be brought to justice in this case," Cence said.

Mendes, 22, is wanted for murder, possession of a firearm and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He is described as a black man, 5 feet 10 inches in height and about 165 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees or encounters Mendes is advised to call 911 immediately.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Waltham Police at 781-314-3607 or Massachusetts State Police detectives at 781-897-6600.